TIPS FOR PREPARING YOUR HOME TO RECEIVE HIGHER OFFERS

THE BEST WAY TO HELP BUYERS IMAGINE THEMSELVES IN YOUR SPACE? STAGING

When I meet with my sellers the first thing I go over with them is this, you have to neutralize the home for buyers to envision themselves living there. Do you know how I know this?- I show buyers properties and I get to hear their unedited opinion of other people’s homes.

Helping buyers fall in love with your property takes more than running the vacuum and fluffing the pillows: It’s all about de-cluttering, repairing, updating, and de-personalizing, say real estate agents and stagers.

When placing anything from accent pillows and table lamps, go for symmetry, which is pleasing to the eye and looks great for photos.

Light it up with lamps. Chic lamps provide both added lighting and appealing decor.

If you’re using staging furniture or buying slipcovers, choose light colors for an airy, inviting feel.

Whatever amount of furniture you have in your living room, remove a few pieces to make the room feel spacious.

Use bright, coordinated accessories like accent pillows and throw blankets for a chic splash of color.

Help buyers imagine their life in your home. Set the scene by displaying a board game or tea service on the coffee table, and arrange furniture in conversational groups. ( I love this one)

Kitchen

Clear everything from countertops except one or two decorative items, like a vase of flowers or bowl of fresh fruit.

Seriously evaluate your appliances. Can they look new again with a good scrubbing? Give it the old college try or consider replacing with new models. The Real Estate Staging Association strongly recommends stainless steel.

Remove those fridge magnets and give the door and handles a good cleaning. The least attractive thing in photos is a collage of magnets on a refrigerator.

Scrub dirt, grime, and stains from walls, cabinets, and backsplashes.

Clean and organize the pantry, leaving some empty space to make it look bigger.( This works well in closets to) Store items in decorative baskets and display a few jars of fancy jam and other upscale condiments.

Bedroom

Go gender neutral in the master bedroom. Ditch those dainty, floral pillow shams, NASCAR posters or those college jersey's you've been hanging onto since 1979- sorry but they are unlikely to impress the new buyer.

Pack up all but the clothes you’re not wearing this season to make your closets look larger. I can’t stress to you how important this is, even in Florida, I know most of my own clients are from up north and still have 2 wardrobes ( this actually makes for a good laugh when touring homes with our buyers looking for the coat closet that doesn't exist ).

Swap out the motley crew of mismatched hangers in your closet for a set of wooden ones to create a classy, boutique look. Or at least make sure the entire set of hangers match and there are NO wire hangers lingering from the dry cleaners.

Put jewelry and other valuables in a safe spot.

Dining Room

Let buyers entertain the idea of entertaining. Set out some chic place settings around the table, or a few wine glasses and a decanter on the buffet.

Strike a balance between overly formal and too casual with an attractive runner and a few fun, decorative elements — think small floral vases or short candle holders.

Take a daring sniff of the drains. Odorous? Clean them out, and deodorize with baking soda, boiling water, or vinegar.

Windows, Walls and More

Have a dark corner or hallway? Brighten it up with a decorative mirror or if you have a beautiful light or chandelier this works well too.

Neutralize the walls. If any rooms are painted in dark colors, repaint white or beige.

Paint adjacent rooms the same color to make the whole space feel larger.

Fill nicks and holes in walls, and touch up with paint.

Make sure every switch plate and outlet cover matches and looks brand new.

Wash the windows, inside and out. Repair any holes or tears in screens.

Replace those family portraits with interesting art placed strategically throughout the house.

And For The Rest of The Home

Declutter! Consider it pre-packing for your move. Box up books, clothes, and personal items and place them (neatly!) in the garage if it’s too much consider a POD or storage unit.

Don’t forget to include memorabilia in those decluttering bins. Family photos, diplomas, and the kids’ artwork should all go.

Keep closets as empty as possible to maximize the appearance of storage space.

Transform underused areas of the house — the alcove under the stairs or the end of a hallway — into functional spots. Add a desk to create a mini office, or a chair and small bookshelf for a reading nook.

Swap dim lights for high-wattage bulbs.

Check every door, drawer, and cabinet to ensure they open and close easily. Swap out any faulty — or dingy — hardware.

Damaged or aging hardwood floors? You can try and fix these yourself but I always suggest hiring a professional.

Do a deep (deep, deep) clean. Hire a professional cleaning service to clean your home from top to bottom — including carpets — before viewings.

Exterior

Make sure your house numbers are legible from the road.

Buy a new doormat to welcome home buyers.

Power-wash the house exterior, walkway, steps, driveway, and porch until everything sparkles.

Make sure the locks and doorbell function.

Make that mailbox look clean and welcoming, or get a new one.

Plant lots of colorful blooms in attractive pots and planter beds.

Trim back trees and shrubs from the approach to the front door.

Whip that yard into shape with fresh sod or new seed

Store yard equipment and children’s toys out of sight.

Get a hammock (or bocce ball game or raised fire pit) to show off how fun your yard can be.

Dress up any imperfect planting area with mulch.

Make sure entryway lights function and are free of cobwebs and insects.

Hide trash cans, recycle bins, and garden hoses.

Don’t forget your outdoor living space. Stage your patio like a second living room, with fashionable furniture, accent pillows, an outdoor rug, and other patio-friendly decor.

Have Pets?

Scrub those pet stains on the carpets and rugs until totally gone or replace them if necessary. Try cleaning formulas made especially for pet odors.

Use air fresheners that eliminate odors, rather than simply mask them. There’s nothing worse than the smell of artificial pine with kitty litter undertones.

Repair or remove any furniture that’s been scratched or gnawed on.

Clean all pet “presents” from the yard.

Keep cat boxes immaculate and hidden away.

When about to have a Showing

When you leave the house for a viewing, take all the furry (or feathery or scaly) residents along with you.

Make a pet hair sweep the last thing you do before you leave the house.

Last but not least I have found instead of baking fresh cookies or burning pumpkin spice candles- I know this can be hard for some of us, especially at this time of year, instead try clean linen fragrances or any kind of fresh scent that is not overwhelming or almost like you are trying to cover up something. Buyers can smell it right away and it takes their attention off the house and on to,” What are you trying to cover up?”

These useful tips have helped several of our sellers and we hope they will help you too!

For more useful tips or help finding a handyman to help with this process my partner and I are always available for our clients.

Please always feel free to email us at crownhomegroup@gmail.com or for more staging expertise call me ( Franchesca ) at 407-694-5170